Probably should have waited until after the deadline to declare to get the final feel on who's in and who's out, but I was bored. No real surprise with the Rams' first pick, but a few surprises for other teams. Enjoy!

ROUND ONE

1. Miami Dolphins: *Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State
-Dolphins need to find a potentially dominant rush linebacker to successfully run the 3-4 scheme Parcells wants to run. Gholston has amassed 21 sacks over the last two years at tOSU and could shoot up draft boards with some impressive workouts.

2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DE, Virginia
-Offensive line is a consideration but age and a lack of depth is catching up with the Rams at the defensive end position. Long has the quickness to rush the passer (14 sacks last season) as well as the size/technique to defend the run.

3. Oakland Raiders: Glenn Dorsey, DT, Louisiana State
-The Raiders allowed nearly 60 more yards and 5 more points per game than they did last year and will be losing a full-time starter in Warren Sapp. Insert Glenn Dorsey, arguably the best UT prospect to come along since Sapp.

4. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College
-The general rule is that if you don't have a franchise quarterback, you should take one. Ryan will allow the Falcons to close the book on the ugly Mike Vick dogfighting drama and move forward into better times.

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Jake Long, OT, Michigan
-The starting duo of Damion McIntosh and Will Svitek don't impress me, as I'm not convinced either are true long-term solutions. Jake Long could start immediately at right tackle while waiting to take over the blind-side spot down the road.

6. New York Jets: *Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
-Newly-acquired running back Thomas Jones was largely disappointing in 2007 with a mere 3.6 yards per carry average and only two total touchdowns on the year. McFadden available here is a dream come true for the Jets.

7. New England Patriots (f/SF): *James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
-The rich get richer. Cornerback is an option, but starting linebackers Teddy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, and Roosevelt Colvin have 32 years of combined NFL experience. Should Laurinaitis declare, he's as good a candidate as anyone here.

8. Baltimore Ravens: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
-Baltimore's lack of depth in the secondary was exposed this season with Chris McAllister and Samari Rolle both missing significant time with injuries. A quarterback makes a lot of sense here, but I think a top cornerback like Jenkins is a great option as well.

9. Cincinnati Bengals: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
-Marvin Lewis wants to blow the whole team up and start from scratch, and the defense looks to be the first thing on the list. Sedrick Ellis can play multiple positions on the line and has been dominant as a three-year starter at USC.

10. New Orleans Saints: *Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
-The Saints ranked dead last in pass defense when ordered by opposing quarterback passer rating. A large step in improving the questionable personnel at cornerback will be spending their first round pick on a talent like Malcolm Jenkins.

11. Buffalo Bills: *Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
-The Bills have found their quarterback in Trent Edwards, but in order to be successful, they'll need to find a receiver to start opposite of Lee Evans. OU's Malcolm Kelly could be the top prospect in a class that lacks a senior standout.

12. Denver Broncos: Keith Rivers, LB, USC
-Keith Rivers has the prototypical size NFL teams crave and the speed to run all over the field, and though D.J. Williams had a career year after moving to the middle, the Broncos could certainly improve upon outside linebackers Nate Webster and Ian Gold.

13. Carolina Panthers: *Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
-Quarterback would have been a consideration if not for the solid play of Matt Moore, who was named Offensive Rookie of the Month in December. Thus, the Panthers will look at Kenny Phillips as an upgrade at free safety over Deke Cooper.

14. Chicago Bears: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
-Is the Rex Grossman era finally over in Chicago? Not quite, as GM Jerry Angelo wants to bring Grossman back. But it would be hard for the Bears, who went through three QBs this season, to pass up on a signal caller like Brohm.

15. Detroit Lions: *Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
-Maybe it was in part because of Mike Martz's offensive system, but the Detroit offensive line was horrible in 2007. A talented blocker like Boise State's Ryan Clady would be a welcomed addition in the Motor City and a no-brainer at this point in the draft.

16. Arizona Cardinals: *Derrick Harvey, DE/OLB, Florida
-If head coach Ken Whisenhunt is going to effectively run his 3-4 defensive scheme, he'll need to find players that fit, specifically at outside linebacker. At 6'5" and 252 pounds, the pass-rushing Harvey could be just the man for the job.

17. Minnesota Vikings: Andre Woodson, QB, Kentucky
-Two years into the Tarvaris Jackson experiment, and the Vikings still aren't sure what they have. I don't think the team is looking to draft a quarterback this early, but it would be hard to pass up on Woodson should he be available here.

18. Houston Texans: Sam Baker, OT, USC
-For years the Texans have searched for a franchise left tackle, and this could be the year they finally find one. Sam Baker was a four-year starter at left tackle for USC and offers tremendous pass-blocking ability.

19. Philadelphia Eagles: *Calias Campbell, DE, Miami
-The last time the Eagles used a first round pick on a player who wasn't a lineman was 2002. The trend will continue here as they take a chance on Calias Campbell, hoping to help improve a pass rush made up soley by Trent Cole.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: *DeSean Jackson, WR, California
-Tampa's leading receivers for 2007 were Joey Galloway (36) and Ike Hilliard (31). Former first round pick Michael Clayton has officially purchased a home in Bust-land. Cal's Jackson will give the Bucs a dynamic playmaker for the future.

21. Washington Redskins: Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
-Cason won't blaze by you with elite straight line speed but the 2007 Thorpe award winner has a nose for both the ball and the endzone. He could be an option for Washington, especially if Shawn Springs becomes a cap casualty.

22. Dallas Cowboys (f/CLE): Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy
-The Cowboys need to address the starting cornerback spot opposite of Terence Newman. With two picks in the first round, they can afford to gamble a bit on the raw McKelvin who can also double as a return specialist.

23. Seattle Seahawks: *Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
-Seattle's inability to run the ball this season resulted in Matt Hasselbeck throwing a career-high 562 pass attempts. With Shaun Alexander wearing down, look for Seattle to try and find their running back of the future this year.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
-Offensive linemen aren't sexy picks, but local fans will be thrilled with the selection of this Pittsburgh product. So will Ben Roethlisberger, who has been sacked 93 times in the last two seasons.

25. Tennessee Titans: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
-Quarterback, check. Running back, check. If the Titans need anything on offense, it's someone for Vince Young to throw the ball to, as evident by Justin Gage being their leading receiver. Who better than a fellow Longhorn in Sweed?

26. New York Giants: Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
-Connor could go earlier than the bottom of round one after rewriting Penn State's record books for career tackles at 379. The Giants would be hard pressed to pass on him here, as he'd be a big upgrade over Kawika Mithcell.

27. San Diego Chargers: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
-Without any significant areas of need, the Chargers have a lot of options on the table. One of them includes North Carolina DT Kentwan Balmer, an athletic prospect that would add valuable depth to a thin San Diego defensive line.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars: Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC
-CB, WR, and DE are all options for Jacksonville, but Paul Spicer is 32 years old and Bobby McCray had his most disappointing season to date. Thus, I think a talented defensive lineman like USC's Jackson could get a look here.

29. Green Bay Packers: *Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
-Talib was given a second round grade by the draft advisory committee, but the Orange Bowl MVP could move into round one with a strong Combine workout. Look for Green Bay to try and address their depth at corner sometime in this draft.

30. Dallas Cowboys: Adarius Bowman, WR, Oklahoma State
-After taking a cornerback earlier, the Cowboys will try and find someone to work against McKelvin in practice. Adarius Bowman (6'4", 220) has T.O.-like size and gives the Cowboys another young option for the future of their receiving corps.

31. San Francisco ***** (f/IND): *Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
-What would a Mike Martz offensive scheme be without receivers? The problem for San Francisco is they basically have none. Frank Gore and Vernon Davis give Martz something to build on, but the ***** should help him out with a talent like Manningham.

-01-11-2008

HUbison

Re: Nick's January Pre-Declaration Round One Mock Draft

Gholston at #1
McFadden at #6

Nobody can say you're not a bold man, Nick.

I love this time of the year, and one of my favorite parts is watching you get tuned up for the next 3.5 months.

-01-11-2008

viper

Re: Nick's January Pre-Declaration Round One Mock Draft

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUbison

Gholston at #1
McFadden at #6

Nobody can say you're not a bold man, Nick.

I love this time of the year, and one of my favorite parts is watching you get tuned up for the next 3.5 months.

Those were both eye openers for me as well. I'm just glad we got Chris Long! Oh, I guess its not official yet. :)

I enjoy Nick's draft and FA efforts too. Good job!

-01-11-2008

Mooselini

Re: Nick's January Pre-Declaration Round One Mock Draft

WOOO HOOO

I'm glad people think Chris Long is our best choice.

-01-11-2008

PossumBoy9

Re: Nick's January Pre-Declaration Round One Mock Draft

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUbison

Gholston at #1
McFadden at #6

Nobody can say you're not a bold man, Nick.

It's not very shocking, IMO.

Nice mock, Nick.

-01-13-2008

rams_fan81

Re: Nick's January Pre-Declaration Round One Mock Draft

Nice mock, but no Jonathan Stewart in the first round?

-01-13-2008

Bar-bq

Re: Nick's January Pre-Declaration Round One Mock Draft

Indianapolis and New England play in the Super Bowl?

Gotta tell you, that was the biggest surprise for me. :)

-01-14-2008

PossumBoy9

Re: Nick's January Pre-Declaration Round One Mock Draft

Quote:

Originally Posted by rams_fan81

Nice mock, but no Jonathan Stewart in the first round?

Yeah, I could see Houston taking a RB over Sam Baker.

-01-14-2008

Nick

Re: Nick's January Pre-Declaration Round One Mock Draft

Quote:

Originally Posted by rams_fan81

Nice mock, but no Jonathan Stewart in the first round?

A report I read while making the mock sounded as if he was planning to stay. He declared officially after the mock was up, so he'll be in the next version.

-01-14-2008

HUbison

Re: Nick's January Pre-Declaration Round One Mock Draft

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick

A report I read while making the mock sounded as if he was planning to stay. He declared officially after the mock was up, so he'll be in the next version.

Nick, what's the declaration deadline? Is it Jan. 31st?

-01-14-2008

RAMarkable

Re: Nick's January Pre-Declaration Round One Mock Draft

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUbison

Nick, what's the declaration deadline? Is it Jan. 31st?

Nope. It's tomorrow (Jan. 15 ) at, I believe midnight EST. And while we are all still waiting in Arkansas for Darren to make his decision, it appears that maybe Felix Jones may also declare for the draft. Question for Nick: where do you think F. Jones will be rated for this draft?

WHAT SAY YE?

-01-14-2008

PossumBoy9

Re: Nick's January Pre-Declaration Round One Mock Draft

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAMarkable

Nope. It's tomorrow (Jan. 15 ) at, I believe midnight EST. And while we are all still waiting in Arkansas for Darren to make his decision, it appears that maybe Felix Jones may also declare for the draft. Question for Nick: where do you think F. Jones will be rated for this draft?

WHAT SAY YE?

I say Felix Jones will be a Top 4 RB in this draft, with a good chance of going in the first round with McFadden, Mendenhall, & Stewart.

-01-14-2008

RAMarkable

Re: Nick's January Pre-Declaration Round One Mock Draft

Quote:

Originally Posted by PossumBoy9

I say Felix Jones will be a Top 4 RB in this draft, with a good chance of going in the first round with McFadden, Mendenhall, & Stewart.

Could be; but I'd like to see him come back for his senior year and be the featured back. All of his college career he's been the caddy to Darren and has never really had many touches relatively speaking. If he's the 4th best RB in this draft who knows where he could be rated next year after a stellar senior year.

WHAT SAY YE?

-01-14-2008

HUbison

Re: Nick's January Pre-Declaration Round One Mock Draft

Quote:

If he's the 4th best RB in this draft who knows where he could be rated next year after a stellar senior year.

I'm guessing 3rd behind Chris Wells and Knowshon Moreno, but still a top 10 pick.

-01-14-2008

txramsfan

Re: Nick's January Pre-Declaration Round One Mock Draft

I think Moreno is coming back to Georgia isn't he? I'm thinking Jones is coming back also.